Ealing Trailfinders 58   Cornish Pirates 26

Eight days after losing to Ealing Trailfinders at home in the league, travelling to West London to face the them away in the semi-final of the new Championship Cup competition was always going to be a big ask, and so it proved, reports Cornish Pirates’ Media Officer, Phil Westren.

To be beaten 58-26, after having held an early 21-5 points lead, was naturally frustrating, on what was a sunny and freakily warm February afternoon. Ultimately, however, there was also a certain reality about it, the Pirates aware in advance that to likely stand any chance of making the final they would need to be at the top of their game.

Two players back to full fitness, wing Robin Wedlake and flanker John Stevens returned to the Pirates starting line-up in a side that also saw Dan Lee selected at No. 8 and Dan Frost at hooker. Named among the replacements was a fit again Will Cargill. A late change saw prop Jack Andrew promoted off the bench to replace Marlen Walker, who failed a late fitness test.

Motivated having won the British & Irish Cup last year, the Trailfinders named a strong line-up including the return of club captain Sam Dickinson, however it was the Pirates who got off to a great start. Game underway they were quickly into their stride, Wedlake gaining yardage down the left flank and then Frost making an appearance to show an explosive turn of pace to score at the posts. Fly-half Harvey Skinner converted.

After the Ealing side looked to respond the Pirates not only held the threat but were then suddenly on the attack again, this time on the right flank. Full-back Kyle Moyle nudged the ball ahead and it was wingman Alex O’Meara who was on hand to dot down. Skinner also slotted his conversion attempt well from out wide.                

Endeavouring to again hit back, the home team were second time lucky, controlled play from wing James Cordy-Redden and flanker Kieran Murphy seeing scrum-half Jordan Burns then lend his support to score a try, adding to the two he registered in the league encounter at the Mennaye Field. Former Pirate Laurence May was luckless with the conversion.

As if not fazed, the Pirates would soon score their third try, it a fourteenth in all games this season for Wedlake. Skinner once again added the extras for the scoreboard to read 5-21 with there only seventeen minutes on the clock.

From midway through the first half of this contest, the temper of the game changed, that man Burns running in his second try and then there one for Cordy-Redden. Both efforts were converted by May to narrow the deficit to just two points.

Adding to Pirate woes, in time remaining to the break they lost both Skinner and Stevens to the sin bin, which now made it all something of an uphill task for the visitors. May landed a penalty to give his side the lead for the first time, and a second unconverted try from Cordy-Redden before the half-time whistle made it 27-21.

Still short of personnel to start the second period, the Pirates somehow needed to deny their opponents until their troops were all back in place. Not only was it a tough ask, but it was also not long before centre Harry Sloan crossed for a converted try. 

To their credit, the Pirates responded by scoring what would prove to be their last points of the game, captain Brett Beukeboom initially leading a charge and the ball next worked right by scrum-half Alex Day. Centre Rory Parata then timed his pass perfectly and it was speedster O’Meara who dived in for his ninth try of the season.

The rest of the match saw Ealing Trailfinders fully in charge, their bench a strong one to call upon and the Pirates cause not helped by injuries, including to Moyle and O’Meara. A big shout though to the propping pair of Tyler Gendall and Andrew in particular, who was always a willing ball carrier.

Further tries for the hosts came from centre David Johnston and influential skipper Rayn Smid, both converted by May, and then there were two unconverted efforts from Burns whose try-scoring exploits against the Pirates have been quite phenomenal.

Pre-match Gavin Cattle had said the game of rugby can at times be unforgiving, mentioning too that the Pirates would be facing a quality team. There was a hope of at least pushing the Trailfinders closer than the previous week, but it was not to be.

Speaking after the game, Cornish Pirates co-coach Alan Paver also gave an honest assessment, saying, “After a good start it was of course disappointing to not only lose personnel to yellow cards but to also lose the collision, the referee and later the set piece and we have no complaints about the score.

“Our decision making let us down at times, and pretty well beaten in every department it was also a bitter pill to swallow that we couldn’t keep in the fight to the end.

“Points were leaked through our own errors and we imploded, and although there is a reality that this late into the season we are running out of bodies, we have to keep going.”

EalingTrailfinders:   15 Will Harries, 14 Seb Stegmann, 13 David Johnston, 12 Harry Sloan, 11 James Cordy Redden (21 Ryan Foley, 76), 10 Laurence May (22, Craig Willis, 6) 9 Jordan Burns; 1 Alex Lundberg (17 Jordan Els, 57), 2 Matt Cornish (16 Alun Walker, 51), 3 Mark Tampin (18 Elliott Millar Mills, 66), 4 Sam Dickinson (20 Andrew Durutalo, 62), 5 Harry Casson (19 Jordan Onojaife, 66), 6 Kieran Murphy (5 Harry Casson, 76), 7 Rohan O’Regan, 8 Rayn Smid (c).

Cornish Pirates:   15 Kyle Moyle (20 Alex Schwarz, 57), 14 Alex O’Meara (22 Dan Koster, 48), 13 Rory Parata, 12 Callum Patterson, 11 Robin Wedlake, 10 Harvey Skinner (21 Will Cargill, 55), 9 Alex Day; 1 Tyler Gendall (17 Tom Concu, 62), 2 Dan Frost (16 Sam Matavesi, 55), 3 Jack Andrew (1 Tyler Gendall, 76), 4 Danny Cutmore, 5 Brett Beukeboom (c), 6 Matt Bolwell (19 Josh Caulfield, 32), 7 John Stevens, 8 Dan Lee (18 Tom Duncan, 55). 

Yellow cards:   10 Harvey Skinner (32), 7 John Stevens (37).

Scorers:

Ealing Trailfinders – tries: 9 Jordan Burns (9, 19, 65, 78), 11 James Cordy-Redden (26, 40), 12 Harry Sloan (43), 13 David Johnston (54), 8 Rayn Smid (61); cons: 10 Laurence May (20, 27, 44, 55, 62); pen: 10 Laurence May (33).

Cornish Pirates – tries: 14 Alex O’Meara (6, 46), 2 Dan Frost (2), 11 Robin Wedlake (16); cons: 10 Harvey Skinner (2, 6,17).

 Referee: Dean Richards (RFU)

Crowd: 350.

With London Irish having earlier in the afternoon won their home semi-final 22-8 against Yorkshire Carnegie, it will be an ‘Irish’ v ‘Trailfinders’ final to be played on the weekend 4^th May. The venue will be determined by the Tournament Organiser with regard to the best interests of the competing clubs.

REDRUTH 39 – 3 LONDON IRISH WILD GEESE

By Bill Hooper, at the Recreation Ground. Photo, Dan Barbary.

A stirring second half performance from Redruth saw them home to a comfortable bonus point win.

Director of Rugby Nigel Hambly was pleased with the win but felt his side could have played better. “It was good to get the win but we could have played better”, was his blunt assessment. “We didn’t bring a lot to the table in the first half regarding ambition or pace. In the first half we were a bit flat.

“In the second half we scored three quality tries from defensive positions allied to great work from the boys, that work-rate pleased me.”  

Wild Geese took an early lead with a penalty from fly-half Liam Prescott, but that proved to be as good as it was for the visitors.

Redruth stormed back with an excellent try from scrum-half Rob Coote beating several defenders to dot down near the posts.

Full-back Aaron Simmonds having missed the conversion, made up for it with a penalty soon after. The score stayed 8-3 until half-time as the game turned into a stop start affair, much to the annoyance of the crowd. 

From the start of the second half Redruth took the game by the scruff –of- the- neck, fly-half Richie Kevern charged down a Prescott kick and hacked his way to the try-line, then, moments later wing Matt Bowden snaffled a stray pass to hare in the under the posts. Both scores were bettered by Simmonds to give the Reds the breathing space needed

Simmonds then scored the fourth try himself following good work down the touch-line by No.8 Sam Stevens out of defence and then replacement wing Dean Bonds with the scoring pass.

The icing was put on the cake late on with further tries from centre Connor Gilbert, following good work from man-of-the-match Coote and then replacement Matt Gidlow as the forwards and Pale Nonu drove him over the line, Kevern adding the final conversion.

The final whistle brought huge cheers from the Redruth faithful, delighted with their team’s second half performance.

Redruth: A Simmonds, T Notman, C Gilbert, N Webber, M Bowden, R Kevern, R Coote; L Kivalu, R Brown (Capt), C Williams, T Prisk, J Heazelton, E Pascoe, M Grubb, S Stevens.

Replacements: J Tompsett, J Hodge, M Gidlow, D Bonds, P Nonu.

Redruth: Tries, Coote, Kevern , Bowden, Simmonds, Gilbert, Gidlow , Cons, Simmonds 2, Kevern , Pen, Simmonds. Wild Geese: Pen, Prescott. 

Richmond 10   Cornish Pirates 23

By Phil Westren, Cornish Pirates Media Officer. Photo Brian Tempest

In front of their loyal travelling supporters, an uplifting last-minute try scored by full-back Kyle Moyle, his second in the match, delivered a sought after and ultimately deserved bonus point victory for the Cornish Pirates in this Round 14 Greene King IPA Championship match played at the historic Richmond Athletic Ground.

Ahead of this contest the two teams had met each other five times since the West London’s side’s Championship level arrival in 2016. Richmond won the first two encounters, but the Pirates had emerged victorious since, including a hard-fought 29-19 result at home in September.

For the 11^th versus 5^th in the league clash, the Cornish Pirates made four changes in their starting XV from the one that faced Jersey Reds the previous weekend. Matt Evans was selected on the wing and Alex Schwarz at scrum-half, whilst in the forwards prop Christian Judge was named to make his first start since September and Josh Caulfield returned to wear the number six shirt. A fit again Tom Duncan also took a seat on the bench.

Game underway at the ‘RAG’ it was the home side who dominated possession early doors, their team including two familiar Cornishmen in former Pirates back-rower Jake Parker and hooker Rupert Freestone, who has joined Richmond this season from Plymouth Albion.

Making use of a thirteenth minute penalty that came their way, the choice of a kick to the corner by Richmond was followed by a driving maul. It proved very effective and led to the game’s opening try, scored by prop Will Goodrick-Clarke. Full-back Lewis Dennett was luckless in adding the extras.

Midway through the half the Pirates leaked a second score which followed the sin-binning of flanker Matt Bolwell. He was fully committed chasing scrum-half Alex Schwarz’s kick, but at the point of impact with an opposition player the referee deemed it a foul and had no hesitation in reaching to his pocket for ‘yellow’. As for the score mentioned, that followed another penalty kick and, yes, another catch-and-drive. It was one that was also truly impressive, as from some 20 metres out the driving maul ended with another home ‘Will’ the try-scorer, this time in the shape of lock Will Warden. The conversion attempt, however, once again missed.

The penalty count against the Pirates was far too high in the first half, however they got back into the match following a terrific 40 metres line-break run by flanker Caulfield, whose pace and determination saw him make it over the line for a superb try. On clearly a difficult day for the kickers, fly-half Javier Rojas Alvarez was unable to add the extra two points.

In now February gloom at the RAG, the Pirates performance had actually lit matters up a little, and with a penalty awarded before the break – one slotted by Rojas Alvarez – it got just that bit brighter. At just 10-8 come the half-time whistle it was all to play for.

The wind appeared stronger at the start of the second half, and the Pirates line-out also struggled to function. Quick to make changes, it was interesting to see what impact fresh legs might have.

Although a penalty kick opportunity from replacement Harvey Skinner went to right of the posts, the Pirates were now seemingly picking up the pace. Also, a great run down the touchline by Kyle Moyle lifted spirits as he ghosted past defenders. The home side managed to clear the danger, but it wasn’t long before Moyle was again applying pressure which led to an attacking line-out opportunity. It was also one that would prove to be well executed, ending with an unconverted try scored by Matt Evans.

Into the lead for the first time in the match it was time now to up the ante, and they did. Evans, centre Callum Patterson and Alex Day applied further pressure, the latter having replaced Schwarz who had showed up well given his first Greene King IPA Championship start. The ball would also once again reach the hands of Moyle who spotted space and had the acceleration to score his tenth try in league matches this season. Despite it unconverted, the score had opened up what could prove an important eight points gap.                    

As it worked out, come the very end the Pirates extended their lead, a super second half display crowned with their bonus point providing try. Skipper Brett Beukeboom, Skinner and wing Robin Wedlake were involved, but it was ‘Moyler’ who popped up again and avoided a desperate attempted tackle to cement his second score – and the win. The result also saw the Pirates move up to third in the league table.

At the end of the game Cornish Pirates’ co-coach Gavin Cattle was quick to give credit to Richmond for their gritty performance, praising also their good set piece. As for the Pirates, after a first half when he felt his team had made too many errors and had given away too many penalties, he was pleased with the second half reaction.

He said. “During the interval we spoke about our first half performance, so it was good to react as we did in the second forty, with the bench as a whole also playing their part.

“Credit to Moyler who I think is the best full-back in the league. He showed some really good touches, has a balance to his game and he took his chances well.

“We have learnt in the past that Richmond is a difficult place to come to and that was the case today. However, it is when you are in that arm wrestle and how you respond that’s important, and we did by dominating the second half to secure the victory.”

Richmond:   15 Lewis Dennett, 14 Callum Sirker (21 Jono Woodward, 63),13 Cam Mitchell (c), 12 Henry Cheeseman, 11 Marcus Webber, 10 Rory Damant (22 Rob Kirby, 74), 9 Luc Jones (20 Jamie Gibbs, 63); 1 Will Goodrick-Clarke, 2 Rupert Freestone (16 Caldon Pike, 75), 3 Craig Trenier (17 Dave Spelman, 69), 4 Will Warden (19 Toby Saysell, 66), 5 Max Crawford (18 Charlie Lenygon, 58), 6 Jake Parker, 7 Jesse Liston, 8 Chris Davies.

CornishPirates:   15 Kyle Moyle, 14 Matt Evans, 13 Rory Parata (22 Dan Koster, 63), 12 Callum Patterson, 11 Robin Wedlake, 10 Javier Rojas Alvarez (21 Harvey Skinner, 44), 9 Alex Schwarz (20 Alex Day, 66); 1 Marlen Walker (17 Tom Concu, 66), 2 Sam Matavesi (16 Dan Frost, 50), 3 Christian Judge, 4 Danny Cutmore, 5 Brett Beukeboom (c), 6 Josh Caulfield (18 James McRae, 50), 7 Matt Bolwell (19 Tom Duncan, 69), 8 Dan Lee.

Yellow card:   7 Matt Bolwell (19)

Scorers: Richmond – tries: 1 Will Goodrick-Clarke (13), 4 Will Warden (20).Cornish Pirates – tries: 6 Josh Caulfield (23), 14 Matt Evans (60), 15 Kyle Moyle (74, 80); pen: 10 Javier Rojas Alvarez (38).

Referee:   Greg Macdonald (RFU)

Crowd:   1175

Jersey Reds 13   Cornish Pirates 17

By Phil Westren, Media Officer Cornish Pirates

During a period of less than kind weather conditions, having negotiated their road and air travel safely to Jersey, for the Cornish Pirates the outcome of this Championship Cup quarter-final tie proved oh so worthy.  A late try scored by replacement Dan Koster and converted by fly-half Javier Rojas Alvarez secured the victory, the result one which in all honesty few would have predicted.

Not only had the Pirates succumbed to a 33-10 league match defeat at the Jersey team’s Stade Santander International ground in October, but it was a venue where they have only ever won twice previously, their last success a 24-0 British & Irish Cup match victory in December 2013.

The Cornish side was, of course, fully aware that a tough challenge was in prospect, but this was also clearly one that they were up for.

Selection for the match saw the same starting backs as had appeared in the last two outings, whilst in the forwards Toby Freeman was named on the flank with Dan Lee switching to No. 8. Having recovered from a slight injury picked up in training last week, which followed his return from a loan spell at Saracens, for prop Christian Judge it was a seat on the bench.

On a sunny, but also cold and windy afternoon there was no lack of positivity at the start of the match, scrum-half Alex Day busy for the Pirates and full-back Kyle Moyle unfortunate to lose his footing when taking off on a run. Then, when Jersey Reds were awarded a penalty and full-back Brett Herron posted the ball to touch, a position was set for the hosts to seriously threaten. An initial probe was held, however when the Reds had a ‘put in’ just five metres out it was scrum-half Will Homer’s long pass that found the hands of wing Leroy Van Dam. There was welcome enough space for him to cross out wide on the left. It was a well taken score that was also well converted by a Cornishman and former Pirate in the shape of fly-half Aaron Penberthy.

There was disruption soon after in the Pirates ranks when wing Alex O’Meara and then prop Tom Concu departed, the pair replaced by young AJ Cant and Christian Judge, whilst there was also concern that the line-out was functioning less than smoothly, not helped of course for either side on the day because of the wind.

When a series of penalty awards directed Jersey’s way, it also gifted them further realistic opportunities to score. Thankfully, however, although tested the Pirates did well to defend their line. and they then won an important turnover to gain welcome relief.

Managing some go forward near the end of the half, through the efforts of a rampaging Dan Lee and centre Rory Parata it was the Pirates turn to apply a little pressure. A driving maul also raised morale, as did in the very last minute of the half a penalty awarded at scrum time. With an opportunity to get points on the board, skipper Brett Beukeboom decided to call forward fly-half Javier Rojas Alvarez, whose successful strike made it 7-3 at the break.

In this absorbingly competitive contest, when play resumed it continued to be closely fought, there little to choose between the two sides. However, approaching the hour mark a penalty opportunity slotted by Penberthy opened up a seven points gap, but with there still clearly all to play for.

Shortly after the restart, a penalty kick to touch provided a chance for the Pirates to hit back, and they did just that. A driving maul gained real momentum and when the ball was released both Parata and Rojas Alvarez went close. Referee Mr. Ridley signalled penalty advantage to the visitors, but they didn’t need it as Freeman’s converted try drew the scores level.

Another penalty was soon awarded the Pirates, and this time it was Moyle who was called upon to attempt the kick at goal. It was from some distance out, but in the context of the match was well worth an attempt, even though it missed.

A next long-range attempt went to Penberthy, it one with wind advantage. It was felt a potentially huge moment in the game, possibly a deciding one, and the cheers from the crowd confirmed that it was successful.

There was no way this Pirates team would slacken off, and showing immense character there was firstly a run from Rojas Alvarez which kept hopes alive and then a scrum that offered promise. With the ball released perhaps quicker than the defending Reds had expected, it was suddenly in the hands of replacement Dan Koster who flew over the line for an all-important converted score.

The Pirates had to show further character to thwart their opponents at the very end, both at maul time and when Jersey’s No. 8 Janco Venter ran menacingly, but to their enormous credit they held out to record this super 17-13 Cup tie win.

A semi-final place now beckons, details to be confirmed. For the immediate present it was time to enjoy the moment and also follow the fortunes of Pirates-bred England internationals Jack Nowell and Luke Cowan-Dickie in Dublin, to see if another surprise would materialise – and it did!

Speaking after the Cornish Pirates successful afternoon’s work, co-coach Alan Paver said.“The game was a good arm wrestle with both sides very competitive and even on the day.

“They were hurt come the final whistle, as we were when losing at the end against Coventry in the league recently, but we needed this result. Our track record in Jersey hasn’t been good, so to emerge from what was certain to be a tough battle and get over the line with a win is a big mental plus for us”.

Alan added.“We always take Cup matches seriously as it important for the club and our supporters. You could tell the reaction of the guys at the final whistle, they were over the moon to get through at the end.”

Jersey Reds: 15 Brett Herron, 14 Jack Stapley, 13 James Newey, 12 Mark Best, 11 Leroy Van Dam, 10 Aaron Penberthy, 9 Will Homer; 1 Roy Godfrey 17 Harry Morley, 52), 2 Charlie Maddison (16 Nick Selway, 48), 3 Leeroy Atalifo (18 Sam Rodman, 59), 4 Jerry Sexton (capt), 5 Dave McKern (19 Charlie Beckett, 64), 6 Rory Bartle, 7 Max Argyle, 8 Janco Venter.

Replacements (not used):   20 Kyle Hatherell, 21 Hilton Mudariki, 22 George Eastwell.

Cornish Pirates: 15 Kyle Moyle, 14 Alex O’Meara (22 AJ Cant, 08) , 13 Rory Parata, 12 Callum Patterson, 11 Robin Wedlake (21 Dan Koster, 67), 10 Javier Rojas Alvarez, 9 Alex Day (20 Alex Schwarz, 60); 1 Marlen Walker, 2 Sam Matavesi, 3 Tom Concu (17 Christian Judge, 10), 4 Danny Cutmore, 5 Brett Beukeboom (c), 6 Toby Freeman, 7 Matt Bolwell, 8 Dan Lee.

Replacements (not used):   16 Dan Frost, 18 Jake Clemson, 19 James McRae.

Scorers: Jersey Reds – tries: 11 Leroy Van Dam (10); con: 10 Aaron Penberthy (10); pens: 10 Aaron Penberthy (57, 69).

Cornish Pirates – tries: 6 Toby Freeman (63), 21 Dan Koster (75); cons: 10 Javier Rojas Alvarez (63, 75) pen: 10 Javier Rojas Alvarez (40).

Referee:  Christophe Ridley (RFU)

Attendance:  1010